[F24-PP] The Same Side <<All For One: In Too Deep>>

[Kindling 0]

The Colosseum of <<Scalabis>>, in its grandeur of arches, massive walls, and ring of banners creating intervals around the top of it. For Kindling, it was impossible to not stare at it, in all it's marble and limestone glory, dwarfing the rest of the City beneath it. The tallest towers alone, illustrious forums, and laurel-spiraled pillars that belonged to temples didn't even come close to inspiring the awe that the Amphitheatre did. He could practically hear the cheers of a crowd inside, see the way in which they leaned forward in anticipation, shouted for their favorite combatant, call out for their least favorite to die. The waving of flags, the sale of food items to keep the audience happy, the whole arena reeking of excitement and lust of all kinds. Of course, all of that was a daydream. What a place it would be to tell a story. To hear that roaring crowd, the chanting of one's name. The upheaval in an upset victory-

Rather than a sunny, hot day, all the marble, granite, and red shingles of the town were painted grey by a thick overcast sky. Dark, brumous clouds hanging heavily overhead, and peppering the paved streets and wooden docks with sprinklings of rain every few minutes or so. The fantasy was gone now, having fluttered it's image just beneath the surface of his vision. Leaving only the ghosts of his imagination to try and paint over the drab scene, to take him away to that legend. A legend that would need to wait for another day. He'd save this spot in his memory, and that vision with it, before turning away to look back across the sea. Met with it's open, turbulent waters, and the cascade of small ripples disturbing the surface where boats and wind had not. That, and the host of people that were always present on these piers. Loading and unloading their boats, whether from themselves or relieving those hulls of their cargo. Somewhere across those waters was today's legend. He only need to reach out and take hold of it, in order for that story to be his. About him. Blue eyes scanned the soaked stone and wooden outcroppings of the dock, eventually landing on that of an old man. He was standing in his boat, a thick grey shoal around his shoulders with a matching hat that was more cotton than his head was bone. His face a mess of darkened freckles, stringy, white facial hair, and the scars of time that left his face wrinkled and sagging. 

'Act one.'
Strutting forward slowly, Kindling raised a hand to get the attention of the old man just stepping out of his canoe-like boat. When that hadn't worked, he simply stood close to the old fisherman, looking down past his nose at him, until the stranger noticed the shift in lighting, and bumped against Kindling.

"Do you... need something?"
More of a huff of annoyance than a string of words, the Old man's voice. Kindling obliged to answer, swiping his hand slowly in front of his face, and pressing buttons unseen to the Cardinal-made NPC. Eventually materializing a portion of the col stored in his inventory into a small bag that suspended itself in the air just long enough for the man to place a hand under it. Pushing it out an inch or so to the old man, expecting and getting the instinctual response of the old man to be to present his opened palm for it. The Player stopped just short of finalizing that, intent to make it known this wasn't random charity.

"Your boat, I will need it for the night. It will be back here in the morning. It's for something very important."
There was a moment where the old man blinked and raised a crooked, thick eyebrow in response. Then the two stared at each other in a moment of silence. Kindling shook the small bag to bring his attention back down to it, wondering now if this random fisherman could resist an easy few extra hundred col. His hand raised, placing it on top of the bag, only for Kindling's grip to tighten on it, still claiming possession over the coin. Another moment, before the old fisherman was the one to speak next.

"Just leave it here when you're done, please."
An acceptable enough answer. His hold let go, freeing the coin and finalizing the transaction. The paddle boat inside was his to do with what he pleased, for the day. Giving the fisherman a moment to reach in, and retrieve his belongings from inside it. Picking it clean of his bucket of bait, water skin, fishing pole, line of rope, and a net full of fish of varying sizes. As long as he left the paddle in there, that was all the Player cared for. The two exchanged one last look before the fisherman meandered off slowly, giving a nod to Kindling who returned the gesture out of good will. The man stepped forward, holding the side of the boat to steady it, before reaching a leg over it in order to enter. But there, he stopped himself, staring at the rocking width of it. Details of the rumor he was chasing coming back to him. A very strong enemy. His the muscles around his nose scrunched inward the slightest bit. It wasn't fear of the enemy, so much as the brand new concern that he might not complete it that stopped him from simply loading onto the boat, and paddling toward the paradise isles. 

'A feat is better with witnesses, anyway.'
He reasoned to himself, swinging his foot back around and taking a step away. His blue pupils going to the left corner of his eyes, head cocking slightly. Frozen, for a moment, in time, wondering who it was he could possibly bring along for something like this. The realization that Kindling made was that he didn't actually know many people. There were a few names on his friendslist from his time in the fields, and wandering dungeons. But most of them were lesser. Significantly so, and certainly not fighters of any kind. 

As if divinely answered, a lightning flash of a though made it's way through his words of consciousness. He did know two fighters. More, but it was two in specific he was thinking about. Back on the first floor in the dirty and randown stage for his little tournament with Minako. Two women whom he had seen battle it out ferociously, fighting until the very last moment, and needing to be stopped. Now, he started to smile slightly, opening his UI to see if he could get a message to either - or preferably, both - and see what their interest was in some quality time with the other, again. Though this time, as allies. One, he certainly could get ahold of, being the creator of the boots he was wearing. The other much more tentative. 

Quote

 

To: @Telrenya, @Pollux
From: @Kindling

A Non-clash related message. I will keep this relatively quick. I have heard from a little birdy that there is something of a monster of a field boss out near the Paradise Isles here on the 24th floor. You two came to my mind after you showing that first week, and I'd like to have you each come join for this adventure. I've got transportation, and some map data. Just need to bring yourself, and whatever else you'd like. I am by the dock at <<Scalabis>>, ready to depart in a few minutes. I hope to see the two of you.

There is some loot in it for you when we defeat it.

 

 

There was a long paused between the majority of that message, and the last part. Hoping that would make the offer tantalizing enough for either or both. Now all that was to do was wait for a bit. With any luck, he'd at least get a reply message of declination. Now what was left, was to wait. Allowed by the world to look up at the might structures around him, and fantasize more. 

---

Spoiler

Kindling's Stats, and Skills

Kindling | HP: 680/680 | EN: 84/84 | DMG: 18 | ACC:5 | EVA:4 | BRN-IM  | PARA-IM | BH:32 | HB: 26 | BLD: 48  | LD:4 | (Unhindered applied since it is not in sheet, giving +1 ACC, +1 EVA, +20 HP).                                                                                                                        
Equipment and Consumables
All enhancements reflected in the stat block unless otherwise specified. I stoled this format from Acanthus. if anything seems wrong, lmk, because it very easily could be.

Spoiler

 

Equipment
Weapon | Hand Of The Mountain | +2 DMG, +1 BLD
Trinket | Sahelanthropus | +3 Evasion
Trinket | Koga's Wallet | Holy Blessing 2 | Fireproof | Para-IM 

Consumables
3x skewer rolls | PROTEIN II
3x liquor of light | DAMAGE III
3x smores | EVASION II
3x bento | OVERHEALTH III
6x cookies - | VITALITY II

Unused Inventory
Tier 4 Dungeon Map (Detailed)
Spyglass (x3)
Water Cannister(x2)
Teleport Crystal (x1)

 

 

 

Abilities (Skills, Shifts, Masteries, Add-ons, and Mods)

Spoiler

 

Combat Mastery and Shift
Combat Mastery: Accuracy R3
ST Shift

Skills
Battle Healing R5
Unhindered
Addon: Precision
Mod: Detect (1/5)
Searching R4
Polearm R5
Addon: Ferocity

Extra Skills

First Aid R5            

 

 

 

 

[Telrenya 0]

A new arrangement of flowers sat atop an artisan's front counter in a simple vase of baby blue. They shifted slightly as Telrenya's fingers gently prodded and pinched at a stem here and there. Having given in to a bit of fidgeting, the shop's owner fussed over the immortal blooms for a few more seconds before tearing herself away from the meaningless task. "I suppose I ought to get breakfast soon." The acceptable window of time for 'breakfast' was rapidly closing, after all. And while she wasn't yet feeling that dull, nagging buzz in the pit of her stomach when Cardinal was reminding her to eat something, it was only a matter of time. So, reaching up for a quick stretch, she decided she was better off closing up for now and finding something more fulfilling to do with her day.

She had just locked the door and set the 'away' message for her shop when the familiar chime of message tickled her ears. Instantly filled with curiosity, she stopped to read. The author surprised her, but only a little. Then the body of the message surprised her. A field boss? She wasn't sure if she'd taken on one of those before. But wait. She scrolled back up to the message's recipients and was surprised for a third time. Yue Hua's username was also listed. Recent memories filled her mind, replaying the last words they had spoken to each other after their duel had been called to end. A smile played on her lips.

A quick, simple reply would confirm her attendance. Or, at least as quick and simple as Telrenya could get. An acceptance of the invitation, of course. And she had to thank Kindling for asking her in the first place. Oh, and it would be rude not to address Yue Hua, since she was replying to both recipients, right? She re-read the instructions in his message and re-registered his intent to take off in just a few minutes. With a sudden sense of urgency, she tapped the 'Send' button on her reply and set off for the teleport gate. "Scalabis, Scalabis..." She repeated the settlement name under her breath a couple of times, only to realize she wasn't sure which floor it was on. A cold sweat beaded on her brow, but she would persevere.

Several minutes later, Telrenya appeared on the 24th floor, stepping down from the teleport gate and letting out a heavy sigh of relief. She'd made it as quickly as she could, choosing to rely on asking a handful of strangers for directions rather than send an embarrassing follow-up message to her soon-to-be party members. Another quick stop to ask for the way to the docks, and she'd be jogging over to find the familiar red hair of the spear user. She slowed her pace to a brisk stride as she drew closer and brought her hand up in a wave. "Hello! Good to see you in between all of the...fanfare." She hadn't prepared the right word, and so a pause found its way into her thoughts.

[quest info]

Telrenya | HP: 700/700 | EN: 108/108 | DMG: 21 | MIT:44 | ACC:3 | EVA:4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:1 NOTES   Hide contents   THREAD INFO   Hide contents equipped »Twilight Turmoil (Paralyze II / Bleed II) »Knight's Vow (MIT I / EVA II) »Erin's Favor (ACC II / EVA I)   battle-ready inventory »Celestial Blessing (EVA II / ACC I) »[Consumable] T1 Health Potion (3) +40 HP »[Consumable] Cerberus Soul +2 Burn DMG »[Consumable] Snowfrost 1/2 Burn DMG for 1 battle »[Consumable] Bandit's Guile +1 EVA for 1 battle skills »Rapier R5 (+7 DMG) »Cloth Armor R5 (+20 MIT) »Energist (+20EN) »Combat Mastery: Damage R3 (+3 DMG) »Protector Familiar addons »[Rapier] Precision (+1 ACC) »[Rapier] Stamina (-2EN) »[First Aid] Hyperactive (+3EN for 3 turns on party member or self | Unique | 3 post CD | 5EN) »[First Aid] Field Medic (Heal self and all party members 25% max HP | 3 post CD | 15EN) »[Cloth Armor] Nimble (+1 EVA, +1 LD) mods »Athletics (+1 DMG) »Purify (Remove all status conditions on self or party member | 1 post CD | 3EN) »Energize (Restore 8EN to party member | 10EN) »Barrier (Reduce final dmg from all sources by 15% on all party members for one turn | 2 post CD | 15EN) buffs »